Ever since the first movement control order (MCO) was announced last year, we've seen plenty of so-called VIPs breaking the rules and yet seemingly always get away with it.

Well, that could soon be a thing of the past, because the police are about to get serious.

Investigations underway

According to a report by Bernama, the police have opened 12 investigation papers to probe dignitaries or VIPs who allegedly broke MCO standard operating procedures.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Huzir Mohamed told the news agency that the events the police will be investigating for allegedly breaching the SOPs include inter-state travel to attend a wedding, a cycling programme which was officiated by the local government housing minister and a visit to the Sendayan military camp by Senior Minister (Security Cluster).

Out of the 12 cases, Huzir said that three of them are still under investigation and two have been classified as no further action (NFA) "because they were on official duty and had adhered to the SOP set."

“As for the rest, they have been compounded and have paid the fine,” he was quoted as saying.

Here's a brief summary of the status of some of the cases under investigation, according to Huzir:

• The cycling programme officiated by Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin was organised with permission and had complied with the SOP, despite the pictures from the event saying otherwise
• The military camp visit by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was classified as an official visit, but the police will be taking a statement from the event organiser because police reports were made
• For the case of VIPs travelling interstate to attend a wedding reception, the police have recorded a statement from the hotel management and they are expected to call up more people soon
• The case involving former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who reportedly failed to check in using the MySejahtera app and record his body temperature is still under investigation, as the paper is reportedly still with the Bukit Aman JSJ prosecution and legal division

We really do hope that stern action will be taken against the VIPs if they're found breaking the SOPs.

That way, the police can really show the rakyat​ that there are no double standards.